His return album Bloodstream took National Album of the Year and Cover Art of the Year. The clip for Song To Sing, featuring legendary indigenous actor Jack Charles also took out Film Clip of the Year.
The album was made in the wake of the loss of his long time muse Ruby Hunter, and his suffering a stroke and losing a lung to cancer.
Bloodsteam was up against fellow-Victorians Kutcha Edwards’ Blak & Blu and Benny Walker’s Sinners and Saints as well as Shellie Morris and the Borroloola Songwomen’s Ngambala Wiji Li-Wunungu – Together We Are Strong which was sung mostly in the Yanyuwa language from the Gulf Country, of which only 10 fluent speakers remain in the world.
Roach was also inducted into the NIMA Hall of Fame alongside North Queensland’s Henry ‘Seaman’ Dan and Wirrinyga Band from Milingimbi, NT.
Other winners at the awards were Jessica Mauboy (National Artist of the Year), Thelma Plum (New Talent), Darwin-based Shellie Morris (Song of the Year for ‘Waliwaliyangu li-Anthawirriyarra a-Kurija (Saltwater People Song)’ with the Borroloola Songwomen.
Gurrumul Yunupingu, who was rushed onstage, was presented with the Special Recognition Award.
The night ended with the cream of indigenous musicians paying tribute to Yothu Yindi,
Melboune’s Kutcha Edwards joined MC Peter Garrett as well as Bunna Lawrie, Shellie Morris, members of The Medics and East Journey to perform their songs. Gurrumul, who started his music career as the band’s keyboardist sang a stirring tribute of Maralitja to Dr Yunupingu. At the end, Gurrumul sang Treaty along with his cousin and East Journey singer Rruwan Maymurru which saw all artists join in to bring the house down.
